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August 19, 2004 12:58 pm

U.S. track and field begins medal chase

By DAVID WOODS

The Indianapolis Star

ATHENS, Greece - If the United States performs poorly in track and field at the Olympic Games, it won't be because of banned athletes left behind. It will be because of the youth of the team and the global nature of the sport.

Medals at the 2000 Olympics were won by 43 countries, including small ones such as Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Sri Lanka.

Team USA dropped to an historic low with medals at Sydney but still led runner-up Russia 20-11. As track's full program opens Friday, the Americans are forecast to exceed the 20-medal count.

They started inauspiciously, reaping just a silver from Wednesday's shot put despite having the year's top four throwers. World leader Christian Cantwell did not qualify for the U.S. team.

Jill Geer, spokeswoman for USA Track & Field, said the team would be content to preserve its position. The United States won 26 track medals in 1988, 30 in 1992 and 23 in 1996.

``It's becoming much more difficult to win medals in every Olympics,'' she said.

USA Track & Field, based in Indianapolis, would be more than content to get through Aug. 29 without another doping headline. The sport has been battered non-stop since the beginning of the scandal involving the Bay Area Co-Operative Laboratory.

The atmosphere is so polluted that sprinter Torri Edwards was banned two years for what she said was inadvertent use of a banned stimulant. Even the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which upheld the penalty, stated she is not a drug cheat.

``You know, there is a cloud out there,'' U.S. men's coach George Williams said Thursday. ``There's no need to lie to you about that.

``My concern is getting through this Olympics without it raining.''

There was speculation Marion Jones would not be included in the 400-meter relay for fear a subsequent drug ban would cause any medal to be annulled. Allegations have been made, but no charges filed against Jones.

U.S. women's coach Sue Humphrey has tentatively scheduled Jones to run the second leg in the relay.

``Everything is just the rumors and gossip,'' Humphrey said. ``I don't go on rumors and gossip.'' She said neither USATF nor any athletes had objected to Jones' inclusion. Jones is to hand the baton to No. 3 runner Lauryn Williams, 20.

``I'm not worried at all,'' Williams said. ``We have a good coaching staff. I'm sure they would make the decision if anything comes about.''

The women's 100-meter final Saturday could include hurdler Gail Devers, the 1992 and 1996 Olympic champion. She was fourth in the U.S. Trials but moved up after Edwards was suspended.

Geer denied reports any U.S. athletes here had missed a drug test. Greek police became involved in one incident only because they wanted to be sure drug testers were properly identified, according to Geer.

For the first time since 1956, the U.S. track team is younger than the one from the previous Olympics. The average age, 26.9, is the youngest since 1992.

``Any time youth is involved, youth sort of symbolizes resurrection,'' said 800-meter runner Derrick Peterson, 26. ``With this being a pretty young team, maybe this will renew people's appreciation of track and field in our country as well as abroad.''

The kids aren't here for summer sightseeing. Those with chances for gold medals include Allyson Felix, 18, in the 200 meters; Sheena Johnson and Lashinda Demus, both 21, in the 400 hurdles, and Jeremy Wariner, 20, in the 400 meters.

Wariner has created a buzz by what he has done and how he has looked. He could give Baylor University a third consecutive gold in the 400, following two by Michael Johnson.

``He loves running, he loves practice,'' Baylor coach Clyde Hart told USATF. ``I thought Michael was going to be the only one I had to possess all those qualities, but Jeremy has all of it, too.''

Following the shot put debacle, the United States hopes to re-establish momentum in Monday's 100-meter final. Defending champion Maurice Greene, Justin Gatlin and Shawn Crawford will oppose Jamaica's Asafa Powell.

Greene was part of the U.S. 400 relay team that strutted and preened in Sydney, a display that caused embarrassment back home. The incident was part of the reason athletes were asked by the U.S. Olympic Committee to use restraint in Athens.

Williams has reiterated that point.

``I said it five times. I hope they got the message,'' he said.

First, they will have to get to the awards podium.

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